Stratis Morfogen and his partners in the restaurant — including Steve Kantor and Steve Boxer — are at odds over his stake in the business after Morfogen rejected what he believed was an unsatisfactory deal to leave, and his partners filed an involuntary bankruptcy motion last April which he says was to force him out.

Ciano was located at East 22nd Street before it shut down.Zandy Mangold

In recent months, several of Morforgen’s other associates signed onto the bankruptcy motion including Coach House Restaurant Inc., parent of Morfogen’s now-closed Ciano. Vendors, food-service companies and distributors also joined the action. In all, liabilities total more than $3 million.

But Morfogen vows to fight, telling us, “[They] are attempting to steal my company…by offering me pennies on the dollar…I told them they can shove it. I made it clear I want no part of the company…run by Boxer since 2012/2013.”

He claims his partners have “refused to pay vendors” and debts “in an attempt to force me into involuntary bankruptcy, which my attorneys and I will fight.”

His lawyer Cary Scott Goldinger said, “Our countersuit is pending, and we expect to be successful.”

Meanwhile, Morfogen’s involved in new ventures including FeatherMyEnemy, via which customers send packages that burst with feathers when opened. “It’s a much better way to serve duck,” he quipped.